European Elections 2024: Opportunities for Consumer Protection in the EU
The European elections provide a pivotal opportunity to address and adapt to the evolving needs of consumers across the European Union. While the past term saw notable legislative achievements, there are still areas that need attention to effectively bolster consumer rights. Substantiated by 20 years of experience in helping consumers with cross-border issues, ECC-Net offers its insights into the most pressing issues European consumers are facing, especially cross-border, and provides recommendations for consumer protection in the upcoming years.
Advancing consumer protection in an evolving digital landscape
The past five years, the European Union has introduced several new rights that empower and protect consumers. But a fast-evolving digital landscape calls for forward-thinking legislation after the election for the European Parliament takes place from 6-9 June 2024. To ensure that consumers are protected, the new Parliament needs to focus on several critical issues.
Top recommendations to strengthen consumer rights
Based on our experience, our top recommendations are:
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Address AI and digital risks
ECC-Net’s experience is that it becomes still more complex for consumers to navigate in the digital world after AI is available to everyone.
To minimise risks, ECC-Net advocates the development and enforcement of ethical AI guidelines prioritising privacy, alongside mandates for transparency in AI algorithms.
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Ensure secure digital wallets
Better digital payment safety is crucial for consumer protection. The EU Parliament's focus on regulatory frameworks can foster trust in digital markets and support secure payment solutions.
ECC-Net emphasises the need for improved liability and enforcement alongside the "Payments Package" to ensure fair treatment in case of fraud.
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Build towards a scam-proof future
ECC-Net's case handling reveals various consumer scams, including influencer-driven challenges when influencers advertise through their social media channels. That calls for clear regulations to define influencer marketing, ensure transparency, and hold influencers accountable.
ECC-Net recommends specific definitions, addressing hidden advertising, expanding liability coverage, and enforcing regulations.
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Revolutionise passenger rights
ECC-Net's assisting of passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the need to address legal gaps to protect consumers.
Therefore, our recommendations include simplifying and clarifying passenger rights regulations, establishing a regulatory framework for airline insolvency, standardising voucher policies, enhancing air passenger rights, and defining responsibilities for booking platforms and online intermediaries.
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Establish a true Single Market
Consumers face digital barriers accessing online audio-visual content in the EU. The EU must ensure the right for consumers to access online content and services without any unjustified restrictions. Additionally, EU rules on geo-blocking need to be better enforced and updated.
Call for effective enforcement mechanisms
Seen from ECC-Net’s perspective, the applicable laws will only be partially effective because enforcement is lacking. Consumers’ rights cannot be protected effectively when there are no consequences for repeated violations of EU consumer law and no incentives for traders to comply. Therefore, this needs to be urgently improved in all aspects.
Want to know more?
Additional information is available in our latest policy paper: For a Europe which protects its consumers in their daily lives